AKL LITE II - We're #2, but we try harder....

[mmmears]

Ohhh my husband (from New Jersey) always laughs that I call it pop!! I had no idea that pop was anything but Canadian!!

Thanks eh! I couldn't resist...but I really don't say eh!!

It's POP in Washington State, too. When I was there, everyone was talking about "pop" and I had no idea what they were talking about! It's soda here in sunny CA.

mmmears... I bet you are so excited. Your DDs' work will get done!

Yes, we are counting down the days! Thanks for the words of encouragement.

 

[RachelTori]

mmmears, the first time we stayed at AKL we did the Sunrise Safari (just as you are doing...) It wasn't until several trips later that I did CL again and Wanyama. If you love AKL CL as much as I think you will, then you will be back and you can look forward to trying Wanyama then

Are you getting excited??

Same here! We did the Sunrise 3 times before trying the Wanyama! Both are worthy!!

RachelTori, your giraffe pics are particularly R-I-C-H!

They're so cute! It was so much fun to get up-close-and-personal with them!!

You Jiko pictures are wonderful!

 

[Flossbolna]

Really excited, but getting stressed today about DD's homework and projects, etc. (Middle School is tough) that have to get completed before we leave. Seems I have to push her sometimes to get things done.

But I can't wait for our trip! The Sunrise Safari sounded like fun for us, and the WS seemed somewhat pricey. Plus, we want to see the lions!

We're planning to spend an afternoon & evening just hanging around AKL and soaking in the atmosphere (& maybe dinner at Jiko). I didn't want to over-schedule our time there, since we wont be there for very long.

hope you get over all that stress soon! Soaking up the atmosphere at AKL sounds like a fantastic idea! There is so much to see and explore. I love all the artwork in the hallways, there even are some explanations (I think mainly in the elevator areas) what the different things on display are.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hey guys, I'm sorry to write this here because I've posted this question in a variety of places, and everybody is SO helpful, but people don't seem to know the answer to this question!!

What drinks are available for the refillable mug at the Mara AKL??? I really don't need the pop (I'm Canadian, LOL)/soda - I'm more wondering about the juice/lemonade/ice tea....anybody know?? pics??

Thanks!!

There is ice tea and I think light lemonade was available the last time we were there. No juice. They also have a decent collection of tea bags for hot tea.

 

[torsie24]

Wow!! Those safari pictures are amazing!!!

Something I've been meaning to ask. How do you guys get to other resorts from AKL? Take a bus to AK and then another resort bus? Is that the quickest option?

And do they do hair wraps at AKL? I really want one as I loved them when I was little!

 

[TyRy]

...wow, we just got back from our Cheerleaders' Brunch this morning and this pic is making me HUNGRY!!! [BTW ~ is that caramel sauce on the side??!?!?]

I'm not sure as DH gobbled it all. I think it was some type of fruit sauce though, not carmel

 

[Flossbolna]

Wow!! Those safari pictures are amazing!!!

Something I've been meaning to ask. How do you guys get to other resorts from AKL? Take a bus to AK and then another resort bus? Is that the quickest option?

And do they do hair wraps at AKL? I really want one as I loved them when I was little!

getting from AKL to another resort really depends. If it is a MK area resort, I am more likely to get the bus to MK and the the boat (which I love!) to whereever I want to go or walk to the CR. For the other areas it really depends, I think for most areas DHS and Epcot would work as a transfer point as well, just not for the BW/BC/YC area as there is no transportation from the Epcot main gate to these, you would have to walk through Epcot (which can be nice if done leisurely, but a hassle if in a hurry).

We tend to plan our meals at other resorts so that they are close to the park we want to visit before or after meal so that at least one way we will go "direct". Also, taxis are easily available at all resorts and we paid about 20 $ from CR to AKL which is about the furthest you can go on WDW property.

 

[kimmar067]

I'm not sure as DH gobbled it all. I think it was some type of fruit sauce though, not carmel

...oooooh....bleccchhhh!

 

[kimmar067]

I

...great 'point-of-view' shot...

 

[kimmar067]

Well I know who I'm cheering for...

...and who am I to argue with THAT?? [ ]

 

[torsie24]

getting from AKL to another resort really depends. If it is a MK area resort, I am more likely to get the bus to MK and the the boat (which I love!) to whereever I want to go or walk to the CR. For the other areas it really depends, I think for most areas DHS and Epcot would work as a transfer point as well, just not for the BW/BC/YC area as there is no transportation from the Epcot main gate to these, you would have to walk through Epcot (which can be nice if done leisurely, but a hassle if in a hurry).

We tend to plan our meals at other resorts so that they are close to the park we want to visit before or after meal so that at least one way we will go "direct". Also, taxis are easily available at all resorts and we paid about 20 $ from CR to AKL which is about the furthest you can go on WDW property.

Thanks - yeah I was wondering how to get to WL and BC/YC in particular. SO I guess for WL we'll go to MK and get the boat, but I'll porbably make our WCC reservation on an MK day anyway.

Eeee, it's so exciting! I jsut wish I had definite park hours so I could really plan! I've got a rough idea though!

Thurs 1st Oct - Arrive afternoon, have a look around AKL/eat at Mara. Sleep!
Fri - AM: MK rope drop. PM: DTD, shopping, pool.
Sat: (Meet?) AKL Rope Drop
Sun: DHS Rope Drop, Maybe spectro/wishes
Mon: AM, lazy. PM: Epcot stay till Illuminations.
Tue: Wedding site visit day/engagement photo shoot?
Wed: US/IOA
Thu: US/IOA
Fri: MK

Then for the next 6 days I don't really have any plans. Do need to decide a MNSSHP date, and also a fantillusion day. But I definitely don't want our Main DHS day to be on a fantillusion day.....

 

[kimmar067]

Same here! DD and I did the Wanyama in July (RachelTori your pics are SO much better than mine) and we had our dinner alone. The group we did the safari portion with was celebrating a birthday and had a separate dinner later that evening at Jiko. I had done Wanyama once before in 2005 and had a blast with my good friend and one other (male) guest
Our dinner was yummy last summer but our sous chef wasn't that into it... Anyway, hope you don't mind that I add my pics. (BTW, we had Rick too! He was a sweetie He and Leisl were our guides)

Taste of Africa

First course Sampler

Lime Ginger Mint palate cleanser

Halibut w/ Seasonal Veg. and Beurre Blanc
]

Macaroni and Cheese and Filet

Chicken w/ Couscous

Dessert Sampler: Lemon Curd w/ blueberry compote, biscotti and sour cream ice cream; Pistachio creme brulee w/ pistachio biscotti & something chocolate...

...okay, now I'm REAL-L-L-L-L-L-LY jealous.....

 

[kimmar067]

Thanks - yeah I was wondering how to get to WL and BC/YC in particular. SO I guess for WL we'll go to MK and get the boat, but I'll porbably make our WCC reservation on an MK day anyway...

...to get to BC/YC, personally I would take the bus to MGM (sorry, old habits die hard! ), and then transfer over to BC/YC...

Thurs 1st Oct - Arrive afternoon, have a look around AKL/eat at Mara. Sleep!
Fri - AM: MK rope drop. PM: DTD, shopping, pool.
Sat: (Meet?) AKL Rope Drop
Sun: DHS Rope Drop, Maybe spectro/wishes [ "Spectro"/"Wishes" are at MK, not DHS]
Mon: AM, lazy. PM: Epcot stay till Illuminations.
Tue: Wedding site visit day/engagement photo shoot?
Wed: US/IOA
Thu: US/IOA
Fri: MK

Then for the next 6 days I don't really have any plans. Do need to decide a MNSSHP date, and also a fantillusion day. But I definitely don't want our Main DHS day to be on a fantillusion day.....

...what is 'fantillusion'??

 

[PNO4TE]

...what is 'fantillusion'??

I am thinking it is TorsieSpeak for Fantasmic!

 

[Flossbolna]

Thanks - yeah I was wondering how to get to WL and BC/YC in particular. SO I guess for WL we'll go to MK and get the boat, but I'll porbably make our WCC reservation on an MK day anyway.

Eeee, it's so exciting! I jsut wish I had definite park hours so I could really plan! I've got a rough idea though!

Thurs 1st Oct - Arrive afternoon, have a look around AKL/eat at Mara. Sleep!
Fri - AM: MK rope drop. PM: DTD, shopping, pool.
Sat: (Meet?) AKL Rope Drop
Sun: DHS Rope Drop, Maybe spectro/wishes
Mon: AM, lazy. PM: Epcot stay till Illuminations.
Tue: Wedding site visit day/engagement photo shoot?
Wed: US/IOA
Thu: US/IOA
Fri: MK

Then for the next 6 days I don't really have any plans. Do need to decide a MNSSHP date, and also a fantillusion day. But I definitely don't want our Main DHS day to be on a fantillusion day.....

Planning is one of the huge bonuses of a WDW trip! I can highly recommend using touringplans.com for deciding which day to go to which park. Tour Guide Mike is great, too. But you will need to invest some time in reading through lots of material most of it you can find out on the boards as well.

Planning rope drops makes a lot of sense! Since your body will still be on GMT for the first few days, being at a park at a time that feels like 2 pm should not be difficult.

Oh and by the way, the old Mouseplanet Walt Disney World updates from last year will give you an idea what park hours are going to be like.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks - yeah I was wondering how to get to WL and BC/YC in particular. SO I guess for WL we'll go to MK and get the boat, but I'll porbably make our WCC reservation on an MK day anyway.

There is also a bus from the MK to WL which would reduce your walk...one bus to another. But the boat is certainly more fun.

To get to Y&BC, either hop the first park bus that comes to AKL and then transfer at that park to a Y&BC bus (I'd probably pass on a MK bus though as it would add an extra 10 minutes or so to your commute) or take the bus to DHS. Then either walk to Y&BC (about a mile) or take the boat which will take at least as long but save your feet a bit. There is no bus from DHS to Y&BC.

Love the term fantillusion BTW.

 

[torsie24]

...to get to BC/YC, personally I would take the bus to MGM (sorry, old habits die hard! ), and then transfer over to BC/YC...

Oooh, smart! I'll remember that too!

...what is 'fantillusion'

I am thinking it is TorsieSpeak for Fantasmic!

Yeah, sorry! Fantillusion is the name of the Paris Spectro, so as soon as I type 'fant', 'illusion' comes next!

Planning is one of the huge bonuses of a WDW trip! I can highly recommend using touringplans.com for deciding which day to go to which park. Tour Guide Mike is great, too. But you will need to invest some time in reading through lots of material most of it you can find out on the boards as well.

Planning rope drops makes a lot of sense! Since your body will still be on GMT for the first few days, being at a park at a time that feels like 2 pm should not be difficult.

Oh and by the way, the old Mouseplanet Walt Disney World updates from last year will give you an idea what park hours are going to be like.

I looove TGM! and am going roughly on last years times, + MNSSHP dates which have now been released, but its tought to know stuff like fantasmic etc. And I want to know EMH dates so I can fix stuff around them...

I am going to really do some good early morning stuff while the time zone is waking me up at 5am for the first few days!!

 

[eeyore913]

My dbf and I will be at AKL villas in 47 days!!!! Cannot wait!! It is to celebrate his college graduation with an animal science degree so this should be a treat for him! We went over to AKL on our Nov trip for dinner at Boma's and just fell in love! We will be there for 4 nights and this thread has just made me oh so much more excited!! We hope to enjoy the resort a lot, we both will be doing the disney College program in the fall so if we lay of the parks a little it won't matter haha! Thanks for all the pictures on here!!

We are doing Jiko's for dinner and Boma's for breakfast one day so I think it will be a blast!!

 

[torsie24]

My dbf and I will be at AKL villas in 47 days!!!! Cannot wait!! It is to celebrate his college graduation with an animal science degree so this should be a treat for him! We went over to AKL on our Nov trip for dinner at Boma's and just fell in love! We will be there for 4 nights and this thread has just made me oh so much more excited!! We hope to enjoy the resort a lot, we both will be doing the disney College program in the fall so if we lay of the parks a little it won't matter haha! Thanks for all the pictures on here!!

We are doing Jiko's for dinner and Boma's for breakfast one day so I think it will be a blast!!

Yay! What a perfect location to celebrate his graduation!!

How exciting you're doing the college programme! I wish I'd thought to look at summer programmes while I was at University!

 

[BCV23]

torsie, I don't know if you saw my post but I wanted to make sure you knew that you can't transfer to a Y&BC bus at DHS....there is no such animal. There is a boat though.